Latest news with #Western-style
Yomiuri Shimbun
11 hours ago
- General
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Kyoto: Landmark Chinese Restaurant Maintains Traditional Design of Vories' Building As Well As Taste
KYOTO — A Western-style building with a remarkable exterior stands at the western side of Shijo Ohashi Bridge over the Kamo River in Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto. Tohkasaikan Honten is a long-established Chinese restaurant serving Beijing-style cuisine. The restaurant is famous for its delicious dishes as well as having one of the oldest elevators in Japan, making its building a Kyoto landmark. The exterior of the entrance is adorned with sculpted sheep reliefs with elaborate horns, open-mouthed fish and stone pillars with traditional Japanese patterns. Gazing up at them, I was overwhelmed by their detail and diversity. Based on a 'Spanish Baroque' style, influenced by both Christianity and Islam, the decorations also adopt Buddhist and traditional Japanese designs. 'I believe our restaurant was able to fit in well in Kyoto thanks to the city's receptiveness to diversity,' said Shuchu U, 54, manager of the restaurant. The building was designed by William Merrell Vories (1880-1964). The U.S. architect designed various buildings in Japan, including schools, churches and residences, but a restaurant is rare. Vories was asked by Western-style cuisine restaurant Yaomasa to design a building in 1924, completing it two years later. But the Western cuisine industry later took a hit due to World War II and U's grandfather, Eizen, took over, having been friends with the in December 1945, Tohkasaikan has five stories and a basement floor. It has also been used as a venue for events like weddings and as a setting for a novel. The exterior and interior, as well as the flavors of the restaurant's dishes, are etched in the hearts of many Kyoto residents. In his childhood, U's grandfather told him, 'This is an important building, so we have to protect it.' However, maintenance is difficult. The exterior walls, floors and windows are prone to damage, air-conditioners need to be replaced and restrooms need to be repaired. The family always struggled with how to allow customers to enjoy their meals comfortably while preserving the original atmosphere. U's father, Junsei, who passed five years ago, instructed him to 'make sure you preserve the original appearance when you refurbish the building.' He has repeatedly conducted renovations but said he 'never loses sight of the basics,' even restoring the original lighting from the time of the restaurant's opening. 'If I understand why it looks the way it does, I can always go back to the basics and preserve tradition,' said U. 'The same can be said for cooking.' The renowned restaurant suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic, as they had fewer customers, making it difficult to stay open. Then, long-time regulars showed their support, saying, 'Let's protect Tohkasaikan.' 'I felt strongly that our restaurant is being protected like a treasure by the people of Kyoto and being kept alive thanks to them,' U said. 'I believe my mission is to preserve this place.' Travel back in time with manual elevator The elevator in the Tohkasaikan Honten building was made in the United States in 1924, making it one of the oldest existing elevators in Japan. It has an old-fashioned collapsible gate and requires an operator to manually control it with a lever. The elevator's car has doors on the right and left sides. On the fourth floor, people use the right door, and on other floors, they use the left one. As it is two years older than the building itself, the elevator is thought to have been designed by Vories himself. 'Vories may have designed it together with the building and ordered it to be made by sending blueprints to the United States,' U the elevator door is a semicircular dial, with hands like those of a clock to indicate floor numbers. To balance traditional design with safety, regular inspections and updating major components such as the motor and brakes, which are placed in hard-to-see places, are essential. It goes up and down smoothly, and when the door opens with a creak, it evokes the feeling of standing in an old movie, like a time machine. Popular Beijing-style cuisine Tohkasaikan is known for Beijing-style cuisine. Beijing cuisine is rooted in Shandong cuisine, one of the four major styles of Chinese cooking. The dishes feature rare ingredients from various regions, including dried shark fin, abalone and sea cucumber, and are characterized for their elegant, nutritious salty menus are priced between ¥6,600 and ¥27,500 per person plus service fees. Some include high-end delicacies like Peking duck, simmered shark fin and bird's nest soup. Among the a la carte dishes, spring rolls made with thinly fried egg with fried pork and vegetables, are popular. The price is ¥2,200 per plate. TohkasaikanHonten main restaurant at Shijo Ohashi Bridge is a short walk from Hankyu Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station or Keihan Gion-Shijo Station. Opening hours are 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays, and 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekends. Closed one day a week irregularly.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
From impossible to possible: Rethinking management to unlock India's manufacturing might
As India sets its sights on becoming a developed nation by 2047, a key lever is the transformation of its manufacturing sector—from contributing 16per cent of GDP today to a target of 25per cent . Much has been said about government policy reforms, but a critical counterpoint often goes unheard: what must organisations themselves do to catalyse this shift? In a deeply reflective conversation with Satyashri Mohanty , Founder of Vector Consulting Group , R.C. Bhargava, Chairman of Maruti Suzuki and author of Impossible to Possible , lays out a compelling argument: India's manufacturing growth depends less on policy changes and more on a paradigm shift in management philosophy. Specifically, he calls for a move away from adversarial, Western-style labour relations toward a more inclusive, partnership-driven model rooted in Eastern ethos. The Flawed Foundation of Western Management in India The Western model of management, Bhargava argues, was shaped in a world of protected markets and limited competition. It never evolved for efficiency or resilience under competitive stress. And while it may be rigorously documented and widely taught, it no longer suits an India that must now play—and win—in the global manufacturing arena. More critically, its approach to labour—treating workers as adversaries rather than collaborators—has led to a culture of mistrust, inefficiency, and immense hidden costs. From absenteeism and low productivity to quality lapses and bloated supervisory layers, the consequences are systemic. The Maruti Alternative: Workers as Partners Maruti's success story, as Bhargava recounts, was rooted in rejecting the default adversarial stance. Instead, inspired by Japanese management practices, Maruti built a model where workers were treated as equal partners. This wasn't a moral stance. It was pragmatic. By aligning worker interests with company performance—through gain-sharing bonuses, transparent communication of goals, and visible investments in their well-being—Maruti created a high-trust, high-performance workplace. Attendance levels soared to 97per cent , average productive hours rose dramatically to about 7.45 hours in an 8-hour shift, and workers voluntarily increased throughput—because it benefited them too! When a factory line worker sees that firing up a machine early translates into greater shared output and higher personal earnings, motivation becomes intrinsic. Maruti didn't just get compliance—it got engaged workers who want to do good for the company- for their own selfish interest. What Needs to Change in Indian Industry So why hasn't this model been replicated across the board? Bhargava is candid: most Indian promoters do not feel existential pressure. Protected markets and decent profits provide comfort. The urgency that drove change in Japan post-WWII or in Maruti's early years simply doesn't exist. But that's precisely what needs to change. Indian promoters must reimagine their role— as nation-builders. Those who seek scale, global recognition, and lasting impact must start by asking: What do I truly want? If the answer is sustained excellence, then involving the 60per cent –70per cent of employees typically disengaged on the shopfloor is not optional—it's the only way. Building a Win-Win System Bhargava lays out the playbook: 1. Mindset Shift: Promoters must see workers not as costs to be managed but as assets to be unlocked. 2. Wealth Sharing: Move beyond fixed bonuses to true profit sharing. Create visible links between effort and reward. 3. Transparency: Open up the books. Share how profits are made and how value will be distributed. 4. Egalitarian Workplace: Break down social hierarchies. Eat together. Signal equality through action, not speeches. 5. Take care of them: Improve the — commute times, housing needs, schools, and health. Fix fatigue and stress 6. Managerial Role-Modelling: Culture is not top-down memos. It's everyday behaviour—cleanliness, punctuality, dignity. This is not a utopia. Maruti did it in the 1980s when labour strife was far worse than it is today. The Economic Case for Change For skeptics, Bhargava makes the math explicit. A 20per cent increase in output through better engagement can significantly improve profitability with minimal capital investment. Even if 10per cent –15per cent of those gains are shared with workers, the enterprise still wins. It's not socialism. It's smart economics. Maruti's numbers speak for itself. As Bhargava sums up, human behaviour is driven by self-interest. The task of management is to design systems where organisational success and individual self-interest converge. The question is no longer if this model works. The only question that remains is— who's ready to lead the change?
Japan Forward
2 days ago
- Business
- Japan Forward
AEON's New 'Chocolate' Snack Contains Zero Cacao
このページを 日本語 で読む AEON has launched a new snack made to taste like chocolate, without using any cacao. As cacao prices soar due to poor harvests in West Africa, alternative chocolate products made from ingredients like peas and burdock root are gaining traction. On June 10, AEON released "Choco ka? WITH BISCUIT," a chocolate-like snack made from fermented and roasted sunflower seeds. The production process mimics that of cacao, resulting in a smooth texture and flavor similar to real chocolate. The product includes about 12 pieces. Each is paired with a biscuit made from oats and grains. It sells for ¥398 JPY (about $3 USD, excluding tax) and is available at 2,200 stores nationwide, including AEON and MaxValu locations. "This is next-generation chocolate — surprisingly authentic in taste and sustainable, too," said Mitsuko Tsuchiya, president of AEON TOPVALU, based in Chiba City. AEON plans to expand both the product line and its distribution in the future. AEON isn't the only company seeking cacao alternatives. In March, food manufacturer Fuji Oil launched "Anoza M," a chocolate alternative for industrial use. It is made from peas, carob, and chocolate-grade fats and oils. Carob, a legume native to the Mediterranean, is smoked and ground into powder. This produces a smooth texture that rivals traditional chocolate. "Anoza M" by Fuji Oil. (Provided by the company) Though still not widely known in Japan, carob is being used in baked goods and Western-style confections. It also costs less than cacao, making it an attractive alternative in terms of both taste and cost. Since launching, Fuji Oil has seen growing interest and sample requests from confectionery businesses. Meanwhile, Hiroshima-based Ajikan, a company specializing in commercial-use foods, developed MELBURD — a chocolate-like product made from roasted burdock root. In August 2024, Ajikan began selling a snack called GOVOCE, which features this burdock-based chocolate, through its online store. It became available at select Natural Lawson convenience stores in November. The rise of alternative chocolate is driven largely by the cacao crisis. Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana — together responsible for two-thirds of global cacao production — saw severe harvest declines in 2023 due to extreme weather and plant diseases. As a result, cacao prices in New York's futures market soared past a record-high $11,000 per ton earlier this year. Although prices have eased slightly, they remain between $8,000 and $9,000 per ton. That's nearly triple what they were two years ago. Despite some alternative ingredients like sunflower seeds currently being more expensive than cacao, Tsuchiya noted, "Cacao prices are expected to stay high. By autumn, traditional chocolate could cost as much as these alternatives." As cacao shortages persist and prices remain high, interest in chocolate alternatives continues to grow. ( Read the article in Japanese . ) Author: Suguru Kojima, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
Time Out
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
6 exciting cultural experiences to check out at this new Peranakan festival in Katong
Once you've explored the festival, head up for a movie at Golden Village's Gold Class or kick back with family and friends over comforting bites. From SG Hawker's local fare and So Good Char Chan Teng's Hong Kong delights to PS Café's fusion Western-style dishes and Tim Hortons' Canadian sweet treats, you'll find something to fuel every mood and palate. And yes, there are rewards for your retail therapy too. Spend $100 to redeem limited-edition rooster bowls and spoon sets. Shop from Mondays to Thursdays and you could even score an extra $5 voucher. Plus, a minimum of $100 spent gives you a shot at winning prizes worth up to $1,500, including a dreamy staycay at Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong. First time on Rewards+? Join now and spend just $50 on your first redemption to bag a handy foldable umbrella – limited to one redemption per member.
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Trump's attack on Iran pushed diplomacy with Kim Jong Un further out of reach
SEOUL — Since beginning his second term earlier this year, President Trump has spoken optimistically about restarting denuclearization talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, whom he met for a series of historic summits in 2018 and 2019 that ended without a deal. 'I have a great relationship with Kim Jong Un, and we'll see what happens, but certainly he's a nuclear power,' he told reporters at an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in March. Earlier this month, Trump attempted to send a letter to Kim via North Korean diplomats in New York, only to be rebuffed, according to Seoul-based NK News. And now, following the U.S. military's strike on three nuclear facilities in Iran on Sunday, the chances of Pyongyang returning to the bargaining table have become even slimmer. For North Korea, which has conducted six nuclear tests over the years in the face of severe economic sanctions and international reprobation — and consequently has a far more advanced nuclear program than Iran — many analysts say the lesson from Sunday is clear: A working nuclear deterrent is the only guarantor of security. 'More than anything, the North Korean regime is probably thinking that they did well to dig in their heels to keep developing their nuclear program,' said Kim Dong-yup, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul. 'I think this strike means the end of any sort of denuclearization talks or diplomatic solutions that the U.S. had in mind in the past,' he said. 'I don't think it's simply a matter of worsened circumstances; I think the possibility has now gone close to zero.' On Monday, North Korea's foreign ministry condemned the U.S. strike on Iran as a violation of international law as well as 'the territorial integrity and security interests of a sovereign state,' according to North Korean state media. 'The present situation of the Middle East, which is shaking the very basis of international peace and security, is the inevitable product of Israel's reckless bravado as it advances its unilateral interests through ceaseless war moves and territorial expansion, and that of the Western-style free order which has so far tolerated and encouraged Israeli acts,' an unnamed ministry spokesperson said. Trump has threatened to attack North Korea before. Early in Trump's first term, when Pyongyang successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile that could reach the U.S. West Coast., administration officials reportedly considered launching a 'bloody nose' strike — an attack on a nuclear site or military facility that is small enough to prevent escalation into full-blown war but severe enough to make a point. 'Military solutions are now fully in place, locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely,' Trump wrote on social media in August 2017. While it is still uncertain how much damage U.S. stealth bombers inflicted on Iran's nuclear sites at Natanz, Isfahan and Fordo — and whether they have kneecapped Iran's nuclear program, as U.S. officials have claimed — experts say the feasibility of a similar attack against North Korea is much smaller. 'North Korea has been plowing through with their nuclear program for some time, so their security posture around their nuclear facilities is far more sophisticated than Iran,' Kim Dong-yup said. 'Their facilities are extremely dispersed and well-disguised, which means it's difficult to cripple their nuclear program, even if you were to successfully destroy the one or two sites that are known.' Kim Dong-yup believes that North Korea's enrichment facilities are much deeper than Iran's and potentially beyond the range of the 'bunker buster' bombs — officially known as the GBU-57 A/B — used Sunday. And unlike Iran, North Korea is believed to already have 40 to 50 nuclear warheads, making large-scale retaliation a very real possibility. A preemptive strike against North Korea would also do irreparable damage to the U.S.-South Korea alliance and would likely also invite responses from China and, more significantly, Russia. A mutual defense treaty signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un last June states that the two countries 'shall immediately provide military and other assistance' to the other if it 'falls into a state of war due to armed invasion from an individual or multiple states.' Yet talk of such an attack in Trump's first term was soon replaced by what he has described as a friendship with Kim Jong Un, built over the 2018-19 summits, the first ever such meetings by a sitting U.S. president. Though the talks fell apart over disagreements on what measures North Korea would take toward disarmament and Trump's reluctance to offer sanctions relief, the summits ended on a surprisingly hopeful note, with the two leaders walking away as pen pals. In recent months, administration officials have said that the president's goal remains the same: completely denuclearizing North Korea. But the attack on Iran has made those old sticking points — such as the U.S. negotiating team's demand that North Korea submit a full list of its nuclear sites — even more onerous, said Lee Byong-chul, a nonproliferation expert who has served under two South Korean administrations. 'Kim Jong Un will only give up his nuclear weapons when, as the English expression goes, hell freezes over,' Lee said. 'And that alone shuts the door on any possible deal.' Still, Lee believes that North Korea may be willing to come back to the negotiating table for a freeze — though not a rollback — of its nuclear program. 'But from Trump's perspective, that's a retreat from the terms he presented at the [2019] Hanoi summit,' he said. 'He would look like a fool to come back to sign a reduced deal.' While some, like Kim Dong-yup, the professor, argue that North Korea has already proven itself capable of withstanding economic sanctions and will not overextend itself to have them removed, others point out that this is still the United States' primary source of leverage — and that if Trump wants a deal, he will need to put it on the table. 'Real sanctions relief is still valuable,' Stephen Costello, a non-resident fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, a Washington-based think tank. While he agrees that immediate denuclearization may be unrealistic, Costello has argued that even halting production of new fissile material, nuclear weapons and long-range missiles are 'well worth ending nonmilitary sanctions,' such as those on energy imports or the export of textiles and seafood. 'Regardless of U.S. actions in the Middle East, the North Koreans would likely gauge any U.S. interest by how serious they are about early, immediate sanctions relief,' he said. The attack on Iran will have other ramifications beyond Trump's dealmaking with Kim Jong Un. Military cooperation between North Korea and Iran, dating back to the 1980s and including arms transfers from North Korea to Iran, will likely accelerate. Lee, the nonproliferation expert, said that the attack on Iran, which was the first real-world use of the United States' bunker-buster bombs, may have been a boon to North Korea. 'It's going to be a tremendous lesson for them,' he said. 'Depending on what the total damage sustained is, North Korea will undoubtedly use that information to better conceal their own nuclear facilities.'
